Crystal SnapePalmer's Dylan Kopec poses in front of his No. 66 SK Lights Modified during the pit party prior to last Sunday's Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn. Kopec won the previous day's feature.

To the victor goes the spoils, such as having a long autograph line at the pit party.

Dylan Kopec earned that following last Sunday morning at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway by virtue of his SK Light Modifieds victory a day earlier - the first of the Palmer teen’s career. It also gave him bragging rights over his father. In his highly decorated career, Chris Kopec never won a feature during Spring Sizzler Weekend.

“It meant a lot,” Dylan said. “It’s great to have a win, finally.”

It helps that the 16-year-old Kopec has a built-in fanbase, as many of those who once cheered on his father have kept their allegiance within the family. As Dylan signed autographs for the passers-by, Chris’s face bore a smile that might need surgical removal.

“This is a confidence builder,” Chris told me as we watched Dylan greet the well-wishers.

With sponsorship from the family business, Kopec Auto Repair, both father and son hope the green No. 66 machine will drive to Victory Lane more than just once this season. A year ago, the team struggled to stay consistent, although those growing pains are to be expected with a rookie.

There were times last year when the car drew a crowd in the pits, but it was a group of crew members trying to help get it fixed. The crowd Saturday and Sunday was there to celebrate.

“Last year, it was kind of a learning curve,” Dylan Kopec said. “This year, my dad kind of put the pressure on and said I wasn’t a rookie anymore.”

Although Kopec was well ahead in the closing laps Saturday, he tried not to let the inevitable enter his mind. As the son of a racer, he’s seen too many strange things happen on the track to count his proverbial chickens.

“I was so happy, but you can’t really celebrate until the end,” Kopec said. “Anything can happen, so I just paced myself and drove smooth.”

That sounds like a wise strategy, doesn’t it?

MAKING THE SWITCH: Had Whip City Speedway not closed following the 2010 season, there’s no telling how dominant Tyler Jackson could have become.

After winning the 750cc Sportsman championship as a 15-year-old in 2009, he moved up to the open 750 class in 2010 and finished third in the Westfield track’s deepest division.

“It’s definitely sad to see that place go,” Jackson said. “I learned a lot there. I had a great time. Getting that championship in the Sportsman division was great for me.”

Since then, Jackson has made the switch from dirt to asphalt - racing SK Lights at both Stafford and Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl. He competed in eight races last season and hopes to run the full schedule in 2012.

Jackson’s season is already off to a good start. The Milford, Conn., driver has a victory and a runner-up finish in two races at Waterford and was ninth Saturday at Stafford. SK Lights features are generally longer than what Jackson was used to at the Whip, requiring more patience than he previously needed. The cars are also bigger and more powerful.

Crystal SnapeTyler Jackson, of Milford, Conn., passes out candy to a young fan during the pit party prior to last Sunday's Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn.

“You’ve got to finesse these cars,” said Jackson, who still drives the No. 22 he had so much success with at Whip City. “You can’t drive them hard all the time. You’ve got to conserve and be there for the end.”

BUILDING CHEMISTRY: Two races into the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, it appears as though Ryan Preece is fitting in well with his new team at Flamingo Motorsports.

Following his runner-up finish in last Sunday’s Spring Sizzler, Preece discussed the developing chemistry between himself, owner Eric Sanderson, crew chief Sly Szaban and the rest of the No. 16 bunch.

“We’re having fun,” Preece said. “This is what I love to do, and this is what Sly loves to do. When something’s wrong, I feel like Sly will definitely know what to do.”

PIONEERS: Two drivers who were in Stafford’s first SK Modified feature in 1982 were in the field Sunday to kick off the 30th-anniversary season of the track’s signature division.

Dan Avery, of Somers, Conn., and Tom Boles, of Ellington, Conn., took the green flag to kick off Sunday’s Spring Sizzler festivities. Boles finished 19th, while Avery was 29th.

FAMILY AFFAIR: The Ruocco family of Cheshire, Conn., celebrated quite the achievement Sunday, as SK veteran Frank Ruocco raced against his son Jesse for the first time. Both got caught up in on-track incidents, with father and son placing 18th and 27th, respectively. 